The MVP Race is Over: Coach Wells Declares Dominance
The 36ers' coach, Mike Wells, has delivered a bold statement, declaring the MVP race as 'over' after an extraordinary performance by star player Bryce Cotton. The Adelaide team secured a stunning win on Valentine's Day, with Cotton's clutch three-pointer sealing the deal.
In a thrilling match, DJ Vasiljevic also caught fire in the second half, leading the Sixers to a 92-89 victory over the New Zealand Breakers. The 36ers, second on the table with a 22-9 record, needed a win to secure a top-three finish and a home final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Cotton's outstanding game included a breathtaking 42 points, including a crucial three-pointer that iced the game. His performance prompted Wells to declare the MVP race as over, stating, 'If it's not over tonight, then tell me what the definition is.'
'He played 40 minutes, scored 42 points, guarded the other team's best player, did everything. Most valuable player to his team. This thing is over,' Wells emphasized. 'If you're not voting for Bryce Cotton, who has been the best player in this league since he arrived, I want to see the votes. It's not even close. The MVP race is over today.'
This declaration comes after Wildcats coach John Rillie set the stage for a battle between other MVP contenders, Kristian Doolittle and Kendric Davis. The Perth and Sydney teams will face off on Sunday, with Rillie challenging Doolittle to stop the Kings' dynamic guard and boost his MVP claims.
The game started with a sloppy display from Adelaide, who shot 0-from-3 from the floor, while the Breakers raced to a 7-0 lead. However, Cotton's opener sparked his team, and he scored 10 of the side's 16 points in the first quarter. The Sixers stormed to a 29-16 lead, with Cotton's 100th three-pointer of the season coming on 39% shooting.
Despite a strong start, Adelaide faced challenges in the first half, shooting just 16% from long range (3-from-18) with a minute left until halftime. The Breakers, led by Petteri Koponen, dominated the paint with a 61% shooting percentage, compared to Adelaide's 39%.
Cotton's outstanding performance included a game-high 19 points, but his teammates struggled to match his intensity. The Sixers' starting lineup, including Flynn Cameron and John Jenkins, failed to score in the first half. Izaiah Brockington's thunderous two-handed jam and Parker Jackson-Cartwright's 14 points were highlights, but the Breakers held an 11-point lead at halftime.
The game's outcome was sealed in the final quarter, with the Sixers hitting the front for the first time and securing a memorable win with a 33-18 quarter.
